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Computers in Industry

There are three main areas:

• Computer Aided Design (CAD)

• Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)

• Robotics

In many industries the traditional drawing board is almost a relic.  There are many computer aided design (CAD) packages that enable the designer to work out the designs.  Drawing with a mouse is difficult, so the computer system may have:

• a light pen;

• a graphics tablet;

In this picture you can see that under the engineer's left hand there is a graphics tablet.

CAD packages use vector graphics, which means that the coordinates at each end of a line are plotted.  It results in smaller file sizes and changes of size can be accommodated without the distortion caused by pixilation (where lines appear to be stepped).  The advantages of CAD are many:

• no special drawing skills are needed;

• designs can be easily changed.

• the design can be tested using computer modelling.  Complex mathematical calculations are used to predict the item's behaviour under normal and extreme conditions.  This makes more sense than destructive testing on prototypes, which can be highly expensive or even dangerous.

• plans can be stored.

Question 5 Explain two ways in which CAD is used in a modern engineering company.  ANSWER

The computer design, when complete, can be loaded into a computer aided manufacturing (CAM) machine.  An example of this is seen in the picture below.  The computer guides the machine head with a precision greater than the precision of even the finest craftsman.

Such machines are massively expensive, but pay for themselves in:

• greater productivity;

• better precision, leading to greater reliability of the finished product.

• complex shapes can be machined.

Many assembly lines are now operated by robots controlled by computers.  Robots are complex machines that rely on feedback to ensure that the various machine heads are positioned in exactly the right place.  Although very expensive, robot assembly line machines have the advantage that:

• they need no breaks for lunch, or going to the lavatory;

• they don't get bored, leading to mistakes;

• they don't go on strike;

• they work 24 hours a day.

Question 6 Some companies have moved away from robotic assembly lines.  Give two reasons why this may have happened.  Explain the role that computer would still play in the company's manufacturing procedures.  ANSWER

However there is a downside:

• New products need complete reprogramming of the machinery, possibly with new tooling.

• Maintenance has to be carried out to a high standard.

• Computer systems failure will lead to the breakdown of the assembly line.

• Certain processes cannot be carried out by a robot.  They still need a skilled operator.

The pictures show a robotic car assembly line:

ICT in Medicine

The most obvious way that ICT is used in medicine is the database in each doctor’s surgery in which the details of patients are kept.  These would include:

• Patient’s name
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Occupation
• Lifestyle
• Last visit to the doctor.

  Question 7 Suggest three other fields that might be entered on a patient’s medical record in the database. ANSWER                                                                                                    

 ICT has made a massive impact in medicine beyond doctors’ and hospital databases.  Other areas that have seen a substantial impact from ICT include:

• Computers controlling diagnostic machinery
• Computer analysis of data from diagnostic machinery.  The images from the NMR scan are pretty unintelligible until they have been processed by computer.  Very clear cross sections can be seen, of immense help to the doctor.  Such equipment has shown that unborn babies smile and yawn from a very early age.
• Expert systems that enable doctors to access information about uncommon illnesses.
• Remote operations by specialists from other countries.
• CD-ROM material to enable junior doctors to learn new material.
• Diagnosis over the Internet.

The internet has many sites to do with medical matters.  People look up information on health, life-style, or diet.  Many people use the Internet to diagnose and treat themselves for their illnesses. 

They often look for alternative treatments, because they are fed up with their doctors and the long waits for treatment.  A little bit of knowledge is a very dangerous thing.  People who do this are at risk of:

• misdiagnosis of the illness and consequent wrong treatment;

• falling for quack remedies.

• serious and lasting damage to their health;

• in extreme cases, death.

Question 8   Give two examples of how the internet is used in medicine and give one example of how it can have drawbacks.  ANSWER

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Now go on to ICT for the Disabled